Argo was not a good movie. They took the wrong tack by going for suspense and making things up. The problem is that you know the people make it out so all suspense is undermined. They should have tried to do a better job conveying the fear.

But every dramatic plot point is patently false. Fiction is compelling because it reveals something, non-fiction is compelling because it is real. When you take a true story and add a bunch of made up events and dramatic moments it turns into nothing more than petty entertainment. And worse than being lifeless it is insulting to the real people involved, many of whom have spoken out against the movie.

That's a different discussion and valid only if the film claims to be the truth. It doesn't.

"Because we say it's based on a true story, rather than this is a true story, we're allowed to take some dramatic license."

Ben Affleck

Trust me, I'm Canadian and didn't appreciate the slight it paid the Canadians who risked their lives and had the direct hand in saving those six people. I found it funny that Affleck had to change the end title card after a near revolt at TIFF. But when I judge a film for an Academy Award I put all that aside and ask a few simple questions - does the film tell a compelling story? Did it achieve what it set out to do? In this case it does. I don't particularly give a shit what the story is. That's the point of a Best Picture award.